Vancouver Island Family-Owned Firm Adds Largest Machine To Increase Capability
Gorosh Cranes President Steele Gorosh has owned the company since 2017
NANAIMO – With the latest addition to the lineup at Gorosh Cranes, the Vancouver Island-owned company has expanded the list of the firm’s capabilities.
President Steele Gorosh says their 270-ton Liebherr All Terrain crane has “greater capacity, height, and reach than anything we’ve owned before.
“If someone wanted to put a carriage house in their backyard, but doesn’t have access for trucks and equipment, with this unit, we can sit in the front yard, lift the house over the existing house, and place it in the back yard,” Gorosh notes. “Modular and tiny homes are quite popular these days. A lot of them are placed on foundations, and with more and more densification, we’re seeing there’s often no access to get a truck and crane in to do that. We can do this now from greater distances, so it will open new doors for us with our clients like Gordon Home Sales and AMCO Homes.”
A Gorosh Crane performing a task at Cameron Island in downtown Nanaimo
While there are other cranes on the Island of this size, Gorosh is proud to be locally- based in Nanaimo, and a third-generation family enterprise. John Gorosh Sr., Steele’s grandfather, started the company in 1954 and Steele purchased it from his father, John Gorosh Jr. in 2017.
“My grandfather started out with a scrap metal company in Nanaimo in the 1950’s and bought his first crane in 1954,” Steele explains. “His first crane was actually an old front shovel (the predecessor to an excavator) that was built in the 1920’s. He cut the bucket off, built a boom for it and turned it into a crane.”
Since then the industry and equipment has changed dramatically, with an increasing use of computers and electronics.
“A major advantage, and challenge”, Gorosh adds, noting the leaps in capabilities with modern equipment, but also the challenges that come with them. “With our 120 ton All Terrain that we bought three years ago, and now the addition of our 270 ton, we can approach clients on Vancouver Island who want to keep their business local but need larger cranes for the work they do.”
Steele started working at the company while in high school doing cleanups and errands, graduating to repairs, operating cranes, and now does something of everything as President.
Gorosh Cranes does work for companies like FMI
Gorosh Cranes has managed incremental, steady growth in sales and equipment acquisitions over the years, building a reputation for direct, personable and reliable service. Their team of operators combines their knowledge and experience while placing top priority on safety. The company’s fleet of equipment is made up of nine cranes, from 3 to 270 ton
“We have a diverse group of crane operators from different backgrounds with skill sets that complement each other,” Gorosh states, adding they have five full time and four part-time employees. “When we are looking at doing something new, something that hasn’t been done before, such as exchanging the thrusters out of BC Ferries new Island Class ferries while at sea, we draw on the skills of our team and plan it out, starting on the whiteboard.
“Our team and equipment are able to go to remote areas on and off the Island,” he notes. “We’ve done a lot of jobs in remote locations recently – Housing projects with First Nations, run-of-river hydro projects, and cell tower builds, all requiring transport by barge.
“These jobs tend to be the most challenging because often you don’t have cell service, the means to refuel or undertake repairs,” he adds. “Working in these types of areas require an aggressive repair and maintenance program and high level of preparedness. Losing a hydraulic hose or tire during one of these jobs is a major issue that we do our best in trying to avoid with regular repairs and maintenance, and anticipation where possible.”
Gorosh Cranes is also proud to volunteer services and donate to the Nanaimo Loaves and Fishes food bank, Scouts Canada, the Kidney Foundation of Canada and help fund participants in the Nanaimo Bathtub Races.
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